Three Degrees of Glory, prevailing thought and the D&C.

[Northwestcoug]

These scriptures seem to plainly indicate that unless you accept the gospel while on this earth, regardless of whether or not you were aware of it, you are bound for the terrestrial kingdom.

To put it bluntly, I think this is a huge mess. There comes a point when we have to trust the easiest explanation. Hence, section 76 clearly states that "they who have died without law" are heirs of the terrestrial kingdom. The easiest interpretation is that those people who have died without a knowledge of the gospel will go to the terrestrial kingdom.

This is in direct contradiction to D&C 137. A faithful interpretation would suggest that the difference is due to more knowledge received after section 76 (76 was received in 1832, 137 in 1836). A less charitable interpretation involves Joseph refining his version of heaven and its requirements. Did he originally view people of the last dispensation as more worthy, and hence celestial heirs?

Incidentally, there is a bunch of confusion regarding the judgement of less faithful members. Section 76 clearly states that these people go to the terrestrial kingdom. But the current Gospel Principles is all over the place. Quote from chapter 41:

"Also in the spirit prison are those who rejected the gospel after it was preached to them either on earth or in the spirit prison. These spirits suffer in a condition known as hell. They have removed themselves from the mercy of Jesus Christ...After suffering for their sins, they will be allowed, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, to inherit the lowest degree of glory, which is the telestial kingdom.

But chapter 46 backs up section 76:

"These are they who rejected the gospel on earth but afterward received it in the spirit world. These are the honorable people on the earth who were blinded to the gospel of Jesus Christ by the craftiness of men. These are also they who received the gospel and a testimony of Jesus but then were not valiant. They will be visited by Jesus Christ but not by our Heavenly Father. (See D&C 76:73–79.)"

I'd also note that chapter 46 is a little deceptive. When it references the part about the terrestrial kingdom, it leaves out verse 72, which talks about those who died without law. So it's understandable that discussions like yours in EQ will continue to happen.

So I think anyone can be forgiven for being confused about this. And the more closely you read these sections, the more questions arise.

My opinion: I feel confident we can err on the side of mercy. Given the confusion in these sections, I'd rather bet on a more merciful god who would understand how confused we are trying to figure this stuff out.

[Mr. Mcgibblets]

My opinion: I feel confident we can err on the side of mercy. Given the confusion in these sections, I'd rather bet on a more merciful god who would understand how confused we are trying to figure this stuff out.

Good point. They are also much easier to reconcile if we believe what Brigham taught. Maybe he was right - there is movement between kingdoms. People inherit the one and eventually move up to the other

Or maybe Bruce R. was right and movement is a damnable heresy, along with Adam-God, leaving reconciliation of these scriptures difficult for some and easy for those that already seem able to reconcile all the other anachronisms of the scriptures.

[Uncle Ted]

Maybe this will help...

[UVACoug]

What is the prevailing thought amongst Mormons and does it actually have a scriptural basis?

We had a discussion in Elder's Quorum this past Sunday regarding the three degrees of glory.

A few of us were a bit stumped by the difference in prevailing Mormon thought and what the scriptures (D&C 76)actually say regarding who inhabits those kingdoms.

In D&C 76 it says, regarding the Terrestrial Kingdom:


The footnote (in red) to "received in verse 74 leads the reader to this:

D&C 138:32:



These scriptures seem to plainly indicate that unless you accept the gospel while on this earth, regardless of whether or not you were aware of it, you are bound for the terrestrial kingdom.

My thoughts:

This seems very messed up. 6 billion people in the world and 13 million have currently "received it while in the flesh".

I think this is part of the reason that LDS folks like to think that this scripture doesn't say what it actually says.

Secondly, if this is true, then the idea of doing temple work is really rather pointless.

When a couple of people began to discuss this in class, the instructor and another guy quickly said, 'Well, that's not what we believe and that's not what the scripture means."

The footnoted scripture in 138 was then pointed out by one of the TBM zealots in the class (I believe he actually likes the idea that he will be one of a limited few in the Celestial Kingdom and that's why he pointed this out).

The discussion was then ended by the instructor and we were told, "We are going to move on from this."

Nevermind

[UVACoug]

Read D&C 138 says specifically that this includes "those that died...without a knowledge of the truth"

. . .

[Portland Ute]

Nevermind

. . .

Fantastic contributions!

[UVACoug]

Fantastic contributions!

I realized that my comment had already been addressed and realized it wasn't worth the grief of rehashing it again. Interesting topic, though I don't think it is as opaque as it seems.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I forgot about this thread. PU, did you see the discussion we had on this topic in the thread about Harrell's book on the evolution of LDS doctrine? I typed up a summary on the inconsistencies associated with the doctrine you mentioned in this thread. You might want to check it out:

http://www.cougarstadium.com/showthr...l=1#post964727

[Sullyute]

This will be this weeks sunday school lesson in our ward. I am teaching for my wife and will be reviewing this thread for "inspiration".